.arw Files Not Handled in Photos?

Question

Level 2

316 points

.arw Files Not Handled in Photos?

This was brought up in this thread Supported RAW Format .arw (Sony a6000 not displayed correctly)

The suggested workflow does not work for me.

Sony .ARW support for my camera was introduced in Camera RAW Update v6.02 (latest v6.05), but whether I import directly into Photos or via Image Capture to a local folder and import from there to Photos the problem remains. The images appear to import and initially display correctly.

But thereafter one by one the thumbnails (and images) either go completely black or the images are distorted as in the image below (and shown in the thread referenced above).

Does anyone have a fix as this is my new camera and I don't want to return it.

Mac mini, OS X Yosemite (10.10.4)

Posted on Jul 17, 2015 7:34 AM

Reply

Answer 1

léonie

Level 10

200,639 points

Jul 17, 2015 12:39 PM in response to Tenex

Are you importing directly from the camera or using a card reader? For some cameras it is safer to import from the card using a card reader.

Reply

Answer 2

Tenex Author

Level 2

316 points

Jul 17, 2015 5:03 PM in response to léonie

I used a card reader, never have got used to connecting a camera directly.

Since posting this I've found another thread with the same issue that suggests that Apple thought this problem was fixed (probably with the 6.02 update) but they seem to have broken it again, seePhotos app break my Sony RAW (ARW) photos

However, I've now found the same image corruption on some Olympus RAW images imported a few days ago so I wonder if it's a wider Photos app problem.

Reply

Answer 3

Tenex Author

Level 2

316 points

Jul 21, 2015 7:59 AM in response to Tenex

As a short term expedient I've found ARW can be handled by the Capture One program from PhaseOne. The Express version is free for Sony users, find it here

HTH in the short term ... Come on Apple!

Reply

Answer 4

Tenex Author

Level 2

316 points

Aug 19, 2015 3:00 AM in response to Tenex

For future readers:

Apple today updated the Camera RAW Compatibility to 6.06 and purely because it contained an update for a Sony A7 rII I tried reimporting the pics from my A5100 (ILCE-5100) and the import appeared successful so I switched to write this message then swapped back to check and all the imported images are again corrupted, they are now completely black rather than as displayed in the first post.

Apple, I despair.

Reply

Answer 5

zmonteca

Level 1

0 points

Aug 31, 2015 8:30 PM in response to Tenex

I'm having the exact same issues described above. Also not having any success with any alternative methods importing pictures.

I've also tried importing every which way:

From my SD reader on my MacBook Air.
From a folder on my desktop
I've even tried storing the files different (i.e. not within the Photos DB, instead within a folder)

I have also tried using Apple Aperture 3.6, which gives the exact same issue.

Lastly, I tried Adobe Lightroom 6.0 and the ARW files had zero issues.

Reply

Answer 6

LarryHN

Level 10

106,142 points

Aug 31, 2015 9:22 PM in response to zmonteca

I've not seen this

But a post today in a different thread stated that they solved this problem by waiting to view the photos - they stated that it was taking Photos a long time to generate the preview and thumbnail and that if the photo was access during this process it would become corrupted - as a test try importing a small group of photos and waiting until the next day and see if that works correctly

LN

Reply

Answer 7

Tenex Author

Level 2

316 points

Sep 1, 2015 1:09 AM in response to zmonteca

I have an update on this - Apple has reached out to me and they are actively investigating this issue.

As soon as they communicate further I'll update this post.

Fingers crossed!

Reply

Answer 8

Tenex Author

Level 2

316 points

Sep 1, 2015 1:12 AM in response to LarryHN

Waiting doesn't work and it's not really an issue with just thumbnails, in my case the images were converted to completely black, but nil desperandum see my post above Apple has reached out to me.

Reply

Answer 9

zmonteca

Level 1

0 points

Sep 1, 2015 6:08 AM in response to Tenex

Tenex, don't fret. Your originals are not being modified. This process is something that is just effecting the display of the images on your screen. If you export original files in either Photos or Aperture you will see your original RAW image, unaltered.

Did Apple allude to this problem being a system level issue or application level issue? I'm curious because I wonder if this will solve the display / rendering issue that is clearly occurring in all their Photo editing / management tools.

Reply

Answer 10

Tenex Author

Level 2

316 points

Sep 18, 2015 12:44 AM in response to Tenex

Update for anyone interested in this issue.

I mentioned above that Apple had reached out to me and investigated the issue and I've now had feedback from the Photos team to say the issue has been fixed in El Capitan and will be available when the next OS X release goes live, presumably 30 September.

Fingers crossed. HTH

Reply

Answer 11

léonie

Level 10

200,639 points

Sep 18, 2015 1:56 AM in response to Tenex

That is good to know.Thanks for posting it here.

Reply